The Sorrows of a House Martin 45 



very few of you take an interest in us, and I'm 

 sure I don't wonder." 



"Why don't you wonder?" asked Gwenny. 



" Because we are not good to eat," said the 

 Martin decisively. " Don't argue," he added, 

 as he saw that she was going to speak : " think 

 it over, and you'll find it true. I must get on. 

 Well, we waited patiently, though we were very 

 sad, and at last came the rain, and we finished 

 the nest. Ah ! how delicious the rain is after a 

 drought ! You stay indoors, poor things, and 

 grumble, and flatten your noses against the 

 nursery windows. We think it delightful, and 

 watch the thirsty plants drinking it in, and the 

 grass growing greener every minute ; it cools 

 and refreshes us, and sweetens our tempers, and 

 makes us chatter with delight as we catch the 

 juicy insects low under the trees, and fills us 

 with fresh hope and happiness. Yes, we had a 

 few happy days then, though we little knew 

 what was coming. An egg was laid, and my 

 wife nestled on it, and I caught flies and fed 

 her, and soon another egg was laid, and then, 

 then came the worst of all." 



